Monday, September 20, 2010

Naked in Eden

When TLC Book Tours first contacted me about this particular book, I wasn't really sure what I would think of it. It definitely sounded intriguing--a woman living in the Australian rain forest for over a year with her husband? I wanted to know just what on earth would possess someone to do something so crazy (and I had no idea how crazy it really was) since I pretty much throw a fit if I have to do anything remotely resembling camping. But this was no ordinary camping trip. Robin and her husband completely left civilization (including clothing eventually, as the title suggests) to live amongst nature.

And since I really had no idea, maybe you have no idea, either. The Australian rain forest is a very scary place chock full of deadly wildlife. Crocodiles, poisonous snakes and spiders, box jellyfish and leeches, and even terrible plants that could kill you, or at least inflict horrible pain. Naked in Eden's prologue begins with Robin Easton's first encounter with a poisonous snake. Face to face with the animal, and with certain death, she begins to learn how to coexist with the rain forest as she imagines what the snake is feeling. By the end of the book she is able to walk freely through her surroundings and not bat an eye when a snake drops from a tree and lands on her.

Ms. Easton's writing draws you in, and gradually gives you context into her life through flashbacks and memories as she navigates nature. And then her experiences begin to change her, as she reconnects with herself and with God. This is the true meat of the story. She was mildly autistic when she entered the rain forest, and her struggles and triumphs within it began to heal her from the disconnect she had always felt in her life.

Truly a fascinating read, full of adventure, suspense and inspiration.

But, I must admit, it also cemented my aversion to camping. I'll leave the camping up to Robin Easton, she does it best, I think.

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I have two copies of this book to give away to those who comment on this post. So tell me, what would YOU do if your spouse decided it would be a great idea to go live in the rain forest for a year? Winners announced Wednesday, September 29.

Lara Neves

Lara is mom to three daughters—two teens and a tween. She loves to share her parenting and homemaking triumphs and failures here at Overstuffed! She was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015 and has been fighting it ever since. When she isn't working on her mother of the year award, you can find her reading, singing, or taking photos.

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25 comments:

I would make a list of projects to do and say "good luck!" I can often get more done when he's gone anyway...ha ha! Since tomorrow is our anniversary though I suppose I should say it would get pretty lonely after a while...

Whoa! I would like to be able to say "Yeah! I'm cool like that, Let's go!" But..... that's not me... I don't mind camping for a couple days, I don't mind bugs and snakes even (well, not poisonous ones anyway) ..... the whole naked thing.....? weird, why did they decide to do that? I love my hot showers and my hoodies and well, civilization!

I would jump for joy and finish the packing. I love to camp!! The peace, the quiet, the walks, the wildlife, the peace, oh the peace. I love the total disconnect from all things that are crazy about my life. Each year we camp for a week and a half for vacation, I wish it could be longer. My idea of Heaven on Earth. Love, love, love it.

The story of Naked in Eden is happening everywhere. Wherever you are, you are camping and getting to know your environment.

Everyone has a disease or a disorder or an ailment they are working to overcome. To overcome our sickness, we have to face our fears. There are just as many fears and dangers that we perceive in our own habitats. When we face these perceived dangers, we too find ourselves naked and free in our own personal Edens.

We too can get to know the details of our own personal Natures and learn to let go of those barriers that keep us from Living Wild and Free in this One Moment.

Thank you for reviewing my book. I was first off struck by your open mindedness, which is a beautiful trait in any of us, but often few have it.

What I mean by that is, even though you might not want to camp in this forest or be around a place that had potentially deadly snakes, etc., you beautifully remained open to another person's experience. That is commendable.

Then I was also deeply touched by these words of your: "...And then her experiences begin to change her, as she reconnects with herself and with God" Thank you for seeing this. You are very right. I went into the forest filled with fear and illness, and yet maybe because of the same openness of mind that you have, I too was able, with time, to let my environment heal me, to once again connect with myself and my god.

I am touched by your insight, and open heart. That same open heart will be such a beautiful influence on your 3 precious girls that I just read about.

Our annual camping trips sometimes feel like we've gone to live in the rain forest for a year...at least to this city girl. I, for one, think indoor plumbing is a great idea, and not one to take for granted. If the Tailor actually told me he was going to go commune with the crocodiles for a year, I'd say, "Have fun. I'll get Ben & Jerry to guard the house with me."

I would say "Lets do it!" Don't get me wrong, there would be fears there for sure, but I would love to overcome them, and to experience the pure rawness and beauty of the rainforest. It is filled with such amazing life!

Robin was blessed with such an amazing opportunity to cleanse herself and re-connect with her higher self.

Your review is beautiful, as Robin said, even though it is not something you would do yourself, you are open and accepting of her experience, that is a beautiful thing!

I would say "Lets do it!" Don't get me wrong, there would be fears there for sure, but I would love to overcome them, and to experience the pure rawness and beauty of the rainforest. It is filled with such amazing life!

Robin was blessed with such an amazing opportunity to cleanse herself and re-connect with her higher self.

Your review is beautiful, as Robin said, even though it is not something you would do yourself, you are open and accepting of her experience, that is a beautiful thing!

My husband is moving across the country at my suggestion, so I guess a year in the rain forest would be fair play. I think I would prefer a year in the mountains without the poisonous surroundings, though. Interesting sounding book.